Crib Chatter

This 1-bedroom in The Barclay at 4940 S. East End in Kenwood came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 1929, The Barclay has 87 units. It is an elevator building.

It has 24-hour door staff, an on-site engineer, storage room, laundry room and exterior outdoor parking.

This unit has tree-top views.

It’s been “fully renovated” and has a semi-private landing with just one other neighbor.

The listing describes it as a “Parisian gem.”

It has many of its vintage features including an entry foyer, crown moldings and wainscotting.

The unit has oak hardwood floors throughout and custom paint.

It has a separate dining room, accessed by French doors, with crown molding and wainscotting that the listing says could be used as an office/den.

The kitchen has custom cabinets, black granite counter tops and backsplash, stainless steel appliances, including a gas range.

The unit also has a “one-of-a-kind” wooden accent wall in the living room with a decorative fireplace.

The bedroom has crown moldings, a custom window seat and bookshelf along with an en suite bathroom, with marble tiles, and a walk-in-closet.

It does not have central air or washer/dryer in the unit. There is a laundry room in the building. Exterior parking is included, however.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Hyde Park, including Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

Listed at $200,000, is this condo a deal compared to renting?

Benjamin Turbow at Keller Williams ONEChicago has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3C: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 1987 for $28,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in March 1988 for $36,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in April 2005 for $107,000
• Currently listed at $200,000
• Assessments of $610 a month (includes heat, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $1122
• No central air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Exterior parking included
• Decorative fireplace
• Bedroom: 11×17
• Living room: 14×22
• Dining room: 12×10
• Kitchen: 11×7

This 1-bedroom loft at 1259 N. Wood in Wicker Park came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 1909, this industrial building was converted into lofts in 1997.

It has 30 lofts and garage parking.

This loft is a Southeast corner brick and timber authentic loft with two walls of windows.

It has hardwood floors throughout.

While there is no square footage listed, the listing says it’s a large 1-bedroom that could be converted to a 2 bedroom.

It has 2 full baths.

The bedroom has an en suite bath with floor-to-ceiling limestone and a walk-in-closet.

The second bathroom is slate, granite and brick.

The loft also has a den/office.

The kitchen has 42 inch dark wood cabinets, granite counter tops and window sills, stainless steel appliances and an island with seating.

It has two outdoor spaces including a balcony and a private deck with Trex, a built-in grill, entertainment space and a pergola.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

This property is in the heart of Wicker Park near the shops and restaurants on both Milwaukee and Division.

Listed at $577,000, that’s $213,000 above the 2010 price of $363,500.

Will it get it in this tight market?

Rafay Qamar and Stephen Davis at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #208: 1 bedroom, 2 baths, no square footage listed, loft

• Sold in January 1998 for $165,000
• Sold in June 2002 for $320,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $399,500
• Sold in February 2010 for $363,500
• Currently listed at $577,000 (garage parking included)
• Assessments of $394 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8095
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom: 20×13
• Den: 7×6
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 13×13
• Tandem Room: 8×7
• Gallery: 5×6
• Balcony: 15×4
• Deck: 27×8

This corner 2-bedroom on the 29th floor of 41 E. 8th Street in the South Loop came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 2002, 41 E 8th has 220 units and an attached garage.

The building has door staff and an exercise room.

This unit is a northeast corner unit with 2 walls of windows and hardwood floors in the main living/dining/kitchen areas and, according to the listing, new engineered hardwood floors in the bedrooms.

The older 2013 listing says this is the largest 2-bedroom floor plan in the building at 1544 square feet.

It has a separate dining room, which has an east facing balcony with views of the Lake and park.

The second balcony is off the living room, and faces north with city views including of the Willis Tower.

The kitchen has white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a pantry and stainless steel appliances and is open to the living room.

The primary bedroom is en suite with a dual sink vanity, a tub and a walk-in-shower and also has a walk-in-closet.

The second bedroom faces north, with city views and has millwork.

The unit has a rare separate laundry room with side-by-side washer/dryer and extra storage.

It has the other features buyers look for including central air and 1 car deeded garage parking which is included.

The listing says that the building is “investor friendly” with no rental cap and is in the South Loop elementary school district.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Printers Row, Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road and is close to both Millennial and Grant Park.

Listed at $525,000, is this a deal for the square footage and views?

Scott Curcio at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2901: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1544 square feet

• Sold in May 2003 for $507,500
• Sold in November 2013 for $462,000
• Currently listed at $525,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $1050 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, snow removal, scavenger)
• Taxes of $11,498
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×10
• Living room: 18×17
• Dining room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 12×9
• Laundry room: 11×6
• Foyer: 10×6
• Walk-in-closet: 8×6
• Balcony: 12×5
• Balcony #2: 13×5

This 2-bedroom loft in the Clybourn Lofts at 1872 N. Clybourn in West Lincoln Park came on the market in March 2022.

The Clybourn Lofts was a 1980s loft conversion and has 57 units and outdoor, deeded, gated parking.

One old listing said the building used to be an old piano factory.

The building has bike storage, a courtyard garden, a common rooftop deck and a laundry room.

This loft has tall timber ceilings and exposed brick along with industrial windows.

The kitchen is open to the living room and has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartizite countertops and an island.

The listing says the second bedroom is being used as a dining room but it could be converted back.

The primary bedroom does not have a door nor full walls but the listing says it can fit a king bed. It has an en suite full bath with a walk-in-shower and a professionally organized walk-in-closet.

The loft also has a unique 7×7 office with a window and exposed brick.

This loft has private outdoor space with a private patio off the primary bedroom.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and a reserved secure parking space.

This building is near Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Mariano’s and New City shops and restaurants as well as all the shops at North and Clybourn and on Armitage.

The listing says it’s in the Oscar Meyer Elementary school district and near the Red, Brown and Purple subway lines.

Listed at $475,000, with that dedicated office space, does that make this loft the ideal work-from-home home?

Daniel Close at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, March 5 from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Unit #505: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed, loft

• Sold in May 1997 for $212,500
• Sold in May 2000 for $277,000
• Sold in March 2003 for $315,000
• Sold in July 2010 for $330,000
• Sold in December 2015 for $379,000
• Currently listed at $475,000 (includes reserved parking space)
• Assessments of $643 a month (includes exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8406
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Living/dining room: 18×14
• Kitchen: 18×11
• Office: 7×7
• Walk-in-closet: 6×9

This 5-bedroom Victorian row house at 620 W. Fullerton Parkway in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1886, this row house is on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 35 x 175.

It has a 2-car garage.

This row house has many of its vintage features including high ceilings, crown moldings, leaded glass windows and pocket doors.

There’s a large skylight over the main staircase.

It has 3 fireplaces located in the living room, a bedroom and the first floor library.

The listing says the house has a new Christopher Peakcock ultra luxe kitchen with full height white cabinetry, Calcutta Gold marble countertops and backsplash, Wolf, Miele and Subzero appliances, an island and a peninsula with seating.

It has the preferred layout for families with 4 of the 5 bedrooms on the second floor, including the primary suite which has an updated spa-like white marble bath with separate tub and shower and dual sinks.

The listing says one of the 4 bedrooms is being used as an office.

The fifth bedroom is in the English basement which also has a large recreation room, the laundry room and a separate entrance if you want to use it as a live-in.

It has a professionally designed and lushly landscaped backyard.

This row house is located near the shops and restaurants of East Lincoln Park on Clark, Halsted and Lincoln Avenue.

The listing says its in the Lincoln Elementary school district.

It has central air.

Originally listed in September 2021 for $3.995 million, it has been reduced $500,000 to $3.495 million.

Fullerton Parkway is a historic street with rare large lots.

Is this an easy sell to vintage lovers?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and video here.

620 W. Fullerton Parkway: 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, 5000 square feet, row house

• Sold in April 1994 for $780,000
• Sold in February 1997 for $1.152 million
• Sold in March 2004 for $2.25 million
• Originally listed in September 2021 for $3.995 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $3.495 million
• Taxes of $30,385
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Skylight
• 2-car garage
• 30 x 175 lot
• Bedroom #1: 17×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 24×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 19×12 (lower level)
• Living room: 19×13 (main level)
• Dining room: 16×13 (main level)
• Family room: 16×15 (main level)
• Library: 16×13 (main level)
• Kitchen: 20×13 (main level)
• Foyer: 15×6 (main level)
• Recreation room: 36×18 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 16×15 ( lower leve)

This 1-bedroom in Park View Tower at 2740 N. Pine Grove came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 1974, Park View Tower has 149 units and both garage and outdoor parking.

It’s a boutique elevator building with a laundry room.

This unit is on the 11th floor and has west views over the city.

The listing says it is a “brand new unit renovated to exquisite standards.”

It has a “new open floor plan” with gray wood floors.

From the prior sale, it appears they added the bedroom which now has a professionally organize closet.

The kitchen has custom white gloss flat panel cabinets with under cabinet LED lighting, full marble backsplash, white quartz counter tops and high end stainless steel appliances including a microwave drawer.

It has a peninsula with seating for 2 and a waterfall edge.

The bathroom has a walk-in-shower with marble tiles and sliding glass door along with a vanity cabinet with quartz counter top and glass flat panel.

The listing says the unit has new electrical and plumbing.

It has wall unit cooling and electric baseboard heating. There’s no washer/dryer in the unit but there is laundry in the building.

Garage parking is available for $155 a month. Outdoor parking is apparently also available.

The listing says it’s an investor-friendly building with no rental caps and pets are allowed.

The listing also says:

“Specialized paint used with sanitizing technology throughout the unit.”

The unit has a balcony which faces west, with sunset views.

It’s in a prime East Lincoln Park location near the shops and restaurants on Diversey, Lincoln Park, Trader Joe’s and the Landmark Century movie theater.

This unit just sold in August 2021 for $130,000 and has come back on the market renovated at $274,900.

Will they get the premium?

Eamonn Stafford at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #11D: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in 1993 (I could find a price)
• Sold in August 2021 for $130,000
• Currently listed at $274,900
• Assessments of $302 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $696
• Garage parking is rental at $155 a month
• Wall unit cooling
• Baseboard electric heat
• No in-unit w/d but laundry in the building
• Bedroom: 10×11
• Living room: 13×14
• Kitchen: 12×8

This corner 2-bedroom penthouse in The Pearson at 250 E. Pearson in Streeterville came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 2003, The Pearson has 180 units and an attached heated garage.

It has 24 hour doorstaff, a fitness center, a hospitality room and a dog washing station in the garage.

The listing for this penthouse  on the 35th floor says it is an “exquisite renovation.”

If you look at the pictures from the 2012 sale, the unit has been completely renovated with new floors and kitchen.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining rooms and has modern white and gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island.

It has 2 bedroom suites and the primary bedroom has a spa-like bath with a double vanity, walk-in-shower and separate bathtub with city views.

The listing says the unit has Control 4 Home Automation.

There are two balconies, one stretching the length of the unit which faces north which has lake views and a second that faces west off one of the bedrooms.

It has city views, including of the John Hancock, from numerous windows.

This penthouse has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

Listed at $2.5 million, is this an apartment for those who love city lights and the lake?

Debra Dobbs at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here (there’s no floor plan listed).

Unit #3502: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2799 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $1.235 million
• Sold in January 2012 for $1.95 million
• Currently listed at $2.5 million
• Assessments of $2012 a month (includes air conditioning, doormen, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $28,693
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 25×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×18
• Living room: 22×23
• Dining room: 10×22
• Kitchen: 24×15
• Walk-in-closet: 8×9
• Laundry room: 7×12
• Foyer: 7×20
• Balcony: 5×74
• Terrace: 20×8

This 4-bedroom Prairie-style single family home at 651 W. Hutchinson in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 1914, it’s on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 50×108 and has a 1.5 car attached garage (per the 2019 listing) and a gated backyard.

It is located on historic Hutchinson street.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in 2012, just at the bottom of the housing bust, when it was listed for $1.065 million, It wouldn’t finally sell until 2013 and it sold under a million at $905,000.

See our chatter here.

But a lot has happened over the last decade in Chicago, and the Chicago housing market.

According to a recent article by Crain’s, Uptown’s single family home market is red-hot as buyers have been priced out of Lincoln Park and Lakeview during the pandemic.

Already in 2022, 5 homes have sold in Uptown priced over $1 million.

From Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s:

Libert and other agents say that space, the hottest commodity in the pandemic era, is a primary reason for the big increase in house prices in Uptown. Also figuring in is relative affordability compared to other parts of the North Side, such as Lakeview.

“With the pandemic, everybody wanted more space outside, and in Uptown, you can get it without moving to the suburbs,” said Lauren Traficanto, a Compass agent. Her clients paid $1.1 million for a former two-flat—now a five-bedroom, single-family residence—on Malden Street. Its lot is about 2.6 times the Chicago norm.

Compass agent Jackie Pepoon said in a text message that her clients who looked for homes on the North Shore instead bought a $1.65 million house on Hutchinson Street, with five bedrooms and 6,000 square feet on about 1.7 city lots. It gave them “all the room of a suburban home, but with the easiness of being right in the city,” Pepoon said.

This house still has some of it’s vintage features but the listing also says that it has been “lovingly renovated” and is turn-key.

It has ornamental stained-glass windows, coffered ceilings, build in bookcases on the second floor landing and 3 fireplaces including a wood burning fireplace in the primary suite.

The listing says the kitchen was newly renovated in 2022 and has white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a breakfast bar on the island which appears to have gray cabinets, a wine fridge and high end stainless steel appliances.

Like most vintage homes, it has a separate dining room.

It has a mud room.

The primary suite is on the second floor along with two other bedrooms and a second bathroom. The primary has an en suite bath with a double vanity and marble countertops, and a walk-in-closet, which is rare for many vintage homes.

The third floor has a great room and an office.

The fourth bedroom is in the lower level along with a full bath, a dog shower, a 160 bottle wine cellar, a professional gym and a laundry room, although the listing also mentions a washer/dryer hidden on the second floor behind a secret door.

The listing says there’s a new deck and a “lushly” landscaped lot.

It also has smart home technology that controls the lights and security from your phone.

This house is near Lake Shore Drive, the peace garden, Montrose Harbor and the golf course along the lake, and is not far from the Red Line stop at Sheridan and express buses downtown.

Listed at $1.39 million, is Uptown a deal?

Barbara Laken at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

651 W. Hutchinson: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5400 square feet, single family home

• Sold in August 1993 for $557,000
• Sold in April 2013 for $905,000
• Sold in April 2019 for $1.18 million
• Currently listed at $1.39 million
• Taxes are now $17,071 (they were $17,076 in 2012)
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces including wood burning fireplace in the primary suite
• Attached garage (2019 listing says its 1.5 cars)
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 21×16 (lower level)
• Living room: 22×18 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×16 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×16 (main floor)
• Family room: 12×42 (third floor)
• Office: 12×42 (third floor)
• Exercise room: 21×16 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×12 (basement
• Also w/d on the second floor
• Walk-in-closet: 7×16 (second floor)
• Deck

This 3-bedroom penthouse in R+D659 at 659 W. Randolph in the West Loop came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 2009, R+D659 has 237 units and an attached parking garage.

It has 24 hour door staff, an outdoor pool, exercise room, party room and dog run.

This 18th floor penthouse has floor-to-ceiling windows with exposed concrete ceilings and some concrete walls which are 12 foot.

It has South, East and West views.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and an island along with stone counter tops and Subzero, Wolf and Bosch appliances.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and en suite bath with a dual vanity, a tub and walk-in-shower.

The listing says a second bath has been “upgraded.”

It has the features buyers look for including central air, a laundry room and a tandem 2-car parking space is included.

The unit has two outdoor spaces which face south and west, including a balcony off the primary suite.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Fulton Market, the West Loop, Greek Town and the Loop.

The listing says it’s in the Skinner school district.

Listed at $950,000, and at 2100 square feet, is this a townhouse alternative?

Dennis Huyck at Keller Williams ONEChicago has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, February 26 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

Unit #1806: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2100 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in September 2009 for $619,000
• Currently listed at $950,000 (includes 2-car tandem garage parking)
• Assessments of $1513 a month (includes heat, gas, cable, exercise room, pool, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $14,774
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Living/dining room: 25×19
• Kitchen: 15×10
• Laundry room: 10×6
• Deck: 28×9
• Deck: 14×7

This 1-bedroom in the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 1969, the Hancock, which is no longer called that as the naming rights have expired but until someone new buys the rights I’m calling it that, it has 703 units and commercial and retail space on the lower floors.

The building has 24-hour door staff, an indoor pool, exercise room and in-house grocery store.

There is attached leased parking.

This unit is on the 58th floor and has northern views.

The listing says it has been “renovated” and is now “turn key.”

In the renovation, the original “sky terrace” was removed to make way for a walk-in-closet.

There are wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has North Carolina Ultra Craft gray cabinets, quartz countertops and blacksplash with a waterfall edge and under cabinet lighting with luxury appliances including a Thermador induction stove, a Thermador oven with convection and dehydrate, a Thermador dishwasher, a Subzero refrigerator and a wine fridge.

The bath is “spa-like” with a Kohler toilet, Grohe faucet and shower with rain and handheld shower heads.

It has an office “nook” with built-ins as well as additional built-in storage along the windows, of which 2 of them are “operable”.

The unit has the features buyers look for including a Bosch ventless in-unit washer/dryer, electric heat/air and leased parking is available in the building.

There is also additional storage included.

The Hancock is at the heart of the Gold Coast and Mag Mile neighborhood with shops, restaurants, museums and Oak Street Beach just a short stroll away.

Buyers love “new.”

Listed at $408,600, is the Hancock cool again?

Lisa Huber and Michael Kearney at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #5807: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 908 square feet

• Couldn’t find the original sales price
• Sold in May 2017 for $300,000
• Currently listed at $408,900
• Assessments of $844 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $6156
• Electric wall heat/air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Leased parking available in the building
• Additional storage included
• Bedroom: 17×10
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Office: 6×4
• Foyer: 6×7
• Walk-in-closet: 7×10